Parking Profits Are A Disgrace

News and Star
25th March 2006

The revelation that car parking fees at North Cumbria's two main hospitals raised more than £100,000 in the last 12 months is enough to make anyone feel queasy.

At the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven, £49,500 profit was made from motorists last year.

Carlisle's Cumberland Infirmary is paid a fee of £65,000 by the firm that runs its car parks.

Unfortunately, that company declined to tell us how much money it raises from the car park there, or if it breaks even.

We would guess that it does make an annual profit, and that it is more than the £49,500 generated at Whitehaven.

Most visiting times are restricted, so not only do you have the stress of battling through traffic to get there in time, but also the added hassle of making sure you have the change - any change - for the ticket machine.

While we are certain that hospital visitors are not being ripped off, we have to ask the question: Why make a profit at all?

Couldn't the parking operations be run as not-for-profit businesses?

Certainly there are costs to be covered for lighting, maintenance and security.

But anything after that is surely just a tax on illness.

People do not use these car parks to go on shopping trips.

And they should not be fined for visiting a sick or dying relative or friend.